Storage apparatus mountable onto a support structure for hanging clothing-related articles

ABSTRACT

A storage apparatus is mountable onto a support structure for hanging clothing-related articles. The storage apparatus comprises an elongate main post having a top end and a bottom end and a non-circular cross-section, and defining a longitudinal axis. A mounting bracket is securely connected to the elongate main post for mounting the elongate main post in substantially vertically oriented relation onto a support structure for pivotal movement about the longitudinal axis. There is a plurality of hook modules mounted on the elongate main post in vertically spaced relation one from the next. An additional mounting bracket may be used to mount the storage apparatus on a door without fasteners engaging the door. Each hook module comprises a plastic collar and a plurality of article-receiving hooks mounted in weight-bearing relation on the elongate main post by the collar.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to storage apparatus, devices, racks and the like, for hanging hanging clothing-related articles such as ties, belts, scarves, and so on, and more particularly to such storage apparatus, devices, racks and the like for hanging hanging clothing-related articles such as ties, belts, scarves, and so on, on doors, especially closet doors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Known prior storage apparatus, devices, art racks, and the like for hanging clothing-related articles such as ties, belts, scarves, and so on, for use in one's home, typically can hang only a small number of articles. Further, such storage apparatus, devices, racks, and the like, do not provide for presenting the articles in such a manner that any of the articles can be easily seen and readily selected.

[0003] Also, it has been found that such known prior art storage apparatus, devices, racks, and the like for use in one's home are not well suited for displaying ties, belts, scarves in a retail setting.

[0004] Further, such storage apparatus, devices, racks and the like, do not provide for organizing the articles in a vertical manner with pivoting holders which allows a large number of articles to be stored in a narrow space and at the same time permits each stored article to be easily seen and readily selected.

[0005] Moreover, known prior art apparatus, devices, racks and the like are unduly expensive.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a storage apparatus mountable onto a support structure, such as a door or wall, or the like, for hanging clothing-related articles such as ties, belts, scarves, and so on.

[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide a storage apparatus mountable onto a support structure, such as a door or wall, or the like, for hanging clothing-related articles, such as ties, belts, scarves, and so on, for use in one's home, wherein articles can easily be seen and readily selected.

[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide a storage apparatus mountable onto a support structure, such as a door or wall, or the like, for hanging clothing-related articles, such as ties, belts, scarves, and so on, for use in one's home, wherein articles are stored in a vertical manner on pivotable holders.

[0009] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a storage apparatus mountable onto a support structure, such as a door or wall, or the like, for hanging clothing-related articles, such as ties, belts, scarves, and so on, that is for use in both home and retail environments.

[0010] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a storage apparatus mountable onto a support structure, such as a door or wall, or the like, for hanging clothing-related articles, such as ties, belts, scarves, and so on, which storage apparatus is inexpensive to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a novel storage apparatus mountable onto a support structure for hanging clothing-related articles. The storage apparatus comprises an elongate main post having a top end and a bottom end and defining a longitudinal axis. A mounting means is securely connected to the elongate main post for mounting the elongate main post in substantially vertically oriented relation onto a support structure for pivotal movement about the longitudinal axis. A plurality of article-receiving hooks are mounted in weight-bearing relation on the elongate main post.

[0012] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a novel storage apparatus mountable onto a support structure for hanging clothing-related articles. The storage apparatus comprises an elongate main post having a top end and a bottom end. A mounting means is securely connected to the elongate main post for mounting the elongate main post in substantially vertically oriented relation onto a support structure. There is a plurality of hook modules mounted on the elongate main post in vertically spaced relation one from the next. Each hook module comprises a collar and a plurality of article-receiving hooks mounted in weight-bearing relation on the elongate main post by the collar.

[0013] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a novel storage apparatus mountable onto a support structure for hanging clothing-related articles. The storage apparatus comprises a first mounting bracket having, in seriatim, a first vertical portion for engaging one face of a door, a horizontal portion for spanning the top edge of a door, and a second vertical portion for engaging the opposite other face of a door. A second mounting bracket is secured to the first vertical portion of the first mounting bracket. An elongate main post having a top end and a bottom end depends from the second mounting bracket. A plurality of article-receiving hooks are mounted in weight-bearing relation on the elongate main post.

[0014] Other advantages, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, the latter of which is briefly described hereinbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the storage apparatus according to the present invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the accompanying drawings:

[0016]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the first preferred embodiment storage apparatus according to present invention mounted on a vertical surface such as a door or wall;

[0017]FIG. 2 is an enlarged scale partially cut-away side elevational view of the upper two-thirds of the storage apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0018]FIG. 3 is an exploded side elevational view of the storage apparatus of FIG. 1, but with the support structure not shown;

[0019]FIG. 4 is a close up side elevational view of portion of the storage apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0020]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the portion of the storage apparatus of FIG. 4;

[0021]FIG. 6 is side elevational view of an article-receiving hook used in the storage apparatus of FIG. 4;

[0022]FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the hook of FIG. 6;

[0023]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the plastic collar seen in FIG. 4;

[0024]FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the plastic collar of FIG. 8;

[0025]FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of a post insert used to connect together the sections of the elongate main post in end to end relation;

[0026]FIG. 11 is a partially cross-sectional side elevational view of the bearing assembly and the top end cap of the mounting means;

[0027]FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of a mounting bracket as seen in FIG. 1;

[0028]FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the mounting bracket of FIG. 12;

[0029]FIG. 14 is an end elevational view of the mounting bracket of FIG. 12;

[0030]FIG. 15 is a close-up side elevational view of a top portion of a second preferred embodiment storage apparatus according to the present invention;

[0031]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the first mounting bracket of FIG. 15;

[0032]FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the stop bracket shown in FIG. 1; and

[0033]FIG. 18 is an enlarged scale partially cut-away side elevational view of the upper two-thirds of a second preferred embodiment storage apparatus according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] Reference will now be made to FIGS. 1 through 17, which show a first preferred embodiment of the storage apparatus mountable onto a support structure, such as a door, or the like, for hanging clothing-related articles such as ties, belts, scarves, and so on, according to the present invention, and as indicated by general reference numeral 20. The storage apparatus 20 is typically mounted on the back of a closet door, on the back of a bedroom door, on a wall, or on any other suitable support structure, as indicated by reference numeral 22.

[0035] The storage apparatus 20 comprises a elongate main post 30 having a top end 31 and a bottom end 32, and defining a longitudinal axis “L”, as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0036] A plurality of article-receiving hooks 40 are mounted in weight-bearing relation on the elongate main post 30 by a plurality of hook modules, as indicated by the general reference number 49, mounted on the elongate main post 30 in vertically spaced relation one hook module 49 from the next hook module 49. The article-receiving hooks 40 are thereby mounted at a plurality of vertical levels along the length of the elongate main post 30. The number of levels can vary and is not in specifically important. As illustrated, there are four hooks 40 at each level, but there could be any number of hooks 40 that would readily fit around the perimeter of the elongate main post 30. The hook modules 49 will be discussed in greater detail subsequently.

[0037] The elongate main post 30 is substantially straight, but not need not be so. Further, it has an exterior surface 33 that is non-circular in cross-section, and is somewhat clover leaf shaped (in cross-section), in the first preferred embodiment, as illustrated. Other cross sectional shapes are also acceptable, such as a triangle, or a square. The purpose of a noncircular cross-section outer surface is to keep the hooks 40 aligned one above another. A circular cross section can also be used to permit the hooks 40 to be rotationally offset any given level, such that the hooks at one level are rotationally offset a few degrees from those one level above and below. Further, the elongate main post 30 is hollow, having an interior passageway 34 defined by an interior surface 36.

[0038] In the first preferred embodiment illustrated, the elongate main post 30 comprises three sections of plastic material, namely top section 30 a, middle section 30 b, and bottom section 30 c, joined in end-to-end relation. Post insert members 122 a and 122 b (see FIG. 8) are engaged into the contiguous ends of adjacent pairs of sections, namely top section 30 and middle section 30 b, and middle section 30 b and bottom section 30 c, respectively. The post insert members 122 a and 122 b are retained in place by means of friction and also be means of outwardly projecting lips 123 disposed adjacent the ends of each of the post insert members 122 a and 122 b. The outwardly projecting lips 123 catch on co-operating annular shoulders 53 a on the interior surface 53 of each of the post insert members 122 a and 122 b to preclude the top section 30 a, the middle section 30 b, and the bottom section 30 c of the elongate main post 30 from separating from each other. The bottom section 30 c preferably does not have any hook modules 49 on it since any lengthy articles such as ties and belts hanging from hooks disposed at this elevation might readily contact the floor beneath (not shown).

[0039] Depending on the length of the elongate main post 30, the elongate main post 30 may alternatively comprise four or more sections of material joined in end-to-end relation, or may comprise two sections of material joined in end-to-end relation, or may comprise only a single length of material.

[0040] The elongate main post 30 is preferably fabricated from a suitable plastic material by means of extrusion, but may be made by means of any other suitable process or from any other suitable material or materials.

[0041] At each hook module 49, four hooks 40 are mounted in secure relation to the elongate main post 30. Each article-receiving 40 is made from a single piece of wire, preferably carbon steel, and is bent into shape and comprises, in seriatim, a rounded hook portion 48, a horizontally disposed shaft portion 46, a vertically disposed base portion 42, and an anchoring end portion 44. The vertically disposed base portion 42 terminates downwardly in the bent anchoring end portion 44. The horizontally disposed shaft portion 46 extends horizontally outwardly from the vertically disposed base portion so as to terminate in the rounded hook portion 48. Preferably, each hook is made from a single piece of wire bent back along itself to the shape described above and as shown in the drawings, so as to produce a hook having a rounded free end 41 that would not catch on the material used in ties, scarves, and the like.

[0042] As discussed above, the hooks 40 are mounted in secure relation to the elongate main post 30 by means of a plurality of hook modules 49 mounted on the elongate main post 30 in vertically spaced relation one hook module 49 from the next hook module 49.

[0043] Each hook module 49 comprising a plastic collar 50 and a plurality of article-receiving hooks 40 mounted in weight-bearing relation on the elongate main post 30 by the collar 50. In each the hook module 49, the collar 50 comprises a central aperture 58 that is preferably non-circular in cross-section, and in the first preferred embodiment, as illustrated, is somewhat clover leaf shaped (in cross-section), so as to correspond to the shape of the cross-sectional shape of the exterior surface 33 of the elongate main post 30. The elongate main post 30 is frictionally engaged within the central aperture 58. The vertically disposed base portion 42 of each article-receiving hook 40 is trapped against the elongate main post 30 by one of the collars 50. Preferably, the plastic collars 50 and the hooks 40 are retained in place by a suitable adhesive.

[0044] The plastic collars 50 are substantially identical one to the others, and will now be described in greater detail. Each plastic collars 50 has four semi-circular protrusions 52 evenly spaced around its perimeter, with concave sections 54 spanning between each pair of adjacent semi-circular protrusions 52. A central aperture 51 is defined by an interior surface 53 that is shaped and dimensioned to frictionally engages the elongate main post 30, which frictional engagement should permit ready sliding of the plastic collars 50 along the elongate main post 30 to their proper location for the purpose of assembly.

[0045] Each of the plastic collars 50 has a horizontally oriented channel 56 disposed in the top surface 58 of the plastic collar 50, extending from the inner surface 53 of the interior aperture 51 of the plastic collar 50 to the outer surface 55 of the plastic collar 50, with one horizontally oriented channel 56 disposed adjacent each protrusion 52 of the plastic collar 50. Each horizontally oriented channel 56 is shaped to receive the horizontally disposed shaft portion of a corresponding hook 40.

[0046] Each horizontally oriented channel 56 leads to a vertically oriented channel 57 formed in the interior surface 53 of the central aperture 51 of the elongate main post 30, with one vertically oriented channel 57 disposed adjacent each protrusion 52 of the plastic collar 50.

[0047] Each vertically oriented channel 57 leads to a small undercut 59 formed in the interior surface 53 of the central aperture 51 of the plastic collar, adjacent the bottom surface 50 b thereof, with one small undercut 59 disposed adjacent each protrusion 52 of the plastic collar 50. The undercut 59 receives the bent anchoring end portion 44 of the corresponding hook 40.

[0048] A mounting means, as indicate by the general reference numeral 60, is securely connected to the elongate main post 30. The mounting means 60 is for mounting the elongate main post 30 in substantially vertically oriented relation onto the support structure 22, for pivotal movement about the longitudinal axis “L” of the elongate main post 30. Such pivotal movement corresponds to the elongate main post 30 and the hook modules 49 mounted on the elongate main post 30, and therefore the clothing-related articles such as ties, belts, scarves, and so on, being rotated in order to see and selected.

[0049] In the first preferred embodiment storage apparatus 20, the mounting means 60 comprises a first mounting bracket 130 mounted directly into the door 22 and a second mounting bracket 100. The first mounting bracket 130 has, in seriatim, a first vertical portion 132 for engaging one face 22 a of the door 22, a horizontal portion 134 for spanning the top edge 22 t of the door 22, and a second vertical portion 136 for engaging the opposite other face 22 b of the door 22. The second mounting bracket 100 is secured to the first vertical portion 132 of the first mounting bracket 130 by means of threaded fasteners 142. In this manner, the first preferred embodiment storage apparatus 20 can be removably mounted on a standard thickness door 22 without defacing the door 22.

[0050] The first preferred embodiment storage apparatus 20 further comprises spacer means comprising outer vertical ribs 170 disposed on the first vertical portion 132 of the first mounting bracket 130. The outer vertical ribs 170 are preferably covered by a soft material such as rubber, to preclude the door 22 from being scratched by the outer vertical ribs 170. As can be seen in FIG. 15, the outer vertical ribs 170 are for spacing the threaded fasteners 142 from the door 22, to preclude the threaded fasteners 142 from scratching the door 22. A small pad 180 is mounted on the second vertical portion 136 to preclude the door 22 from being scratched by the second vertical portion 136.

[0051] The mounting means 60 further comprises a post-engaging portion, as indicated by the general reference numeral 65, and a bracket-engaging portion, as indicated by the general reference numeral 63. The post-engaging portion 65 comprises a top end cap 66 molded from a from high density polyethylene material (H.D.P.E.) and is securely connected to the elongate main post 30 adjacent the top end 31 of the elongate main post 30. In the first preferred embodiment, as illustrated, the top end cap 66 is disposed over the top end 31 of the elongate main post 30, and is frictionally engaged on the top end 31 of the elongate main post 30, and is further retained in place by means of a suitable adhesive. The bracket-engaging portion 63 comprises a metal peg 68 and a bearing assembly 64 mounted on the metal pin 68. The metal pin 68 has an upwardly directed squared top shaft portion 70 with a horizontally disposed aperture 71 therein, and a cylindrical central shaft portion 72 depending from the upwardly directed squared top shaft portion 70, and a lower reduced cylindrical shaft portion 74 depending from the cylindrical central shaft portion 72. The bearing assembly 64 is mounted on the lower reduced cylindrical shaft portion 74 and is retained in place by a splayed bottom end portion 76.

[0052] The bearing assembly 64 is also retained within a co-operating annular recess 67 in the top end cap 66, with the outer annular portion 64 a of the bearing assembly 64 being securely engaged by the walls defining the co-operating annular recess 67. Indeed, the bearing assembly 64 is molded into the top end cap 66. In this above described manner, the bracket-engaging portion 63 pivotally engages the post-engaging portion, namely the top end cap 66.

[0053] The mounting bracket 100 comprises a downwardly extending vertical mounting flange 102 having three apertures 104 disposed therein for receiving the threaded fasteners 101 therethrough for securing the mounting bracket 100 to a door, or the like. A horizontal elongate arm portion 106 extends outwardly from the vertical mounting flange 102. Left and right reinforcing webs 108,110 are disposed one at each outer side of the mounting bracket 100 to preclude the elongate arm portion 106 from bending downwardly under a load.

[0054] A square shaped receiving aperture 112 in the horizontal elongate arm portion 106 of the mounting bracket 100 is defined by a short downturned wall portion 114 is shaped and dimensioned to receive the upwardly directed top shaft portion 70 of the bracket-engaging portion 63 therethrough. The square protrusion 70 is precluded from falling back through the receiving aperture 112 by means of a cotter pin 71. In this manner, the bracket-engaging portion 63 is securely connected to the mounting bracket 100.

[0055] An end cap 116 made from plastic or rubber is frictionally retained on the free end of the horizontal elongate arm portion 106, so as to preclude the rough metal end of the horizontal elongate arm portion 106 from catching on ties, scarves, or the like. Two reinforcing ribs 118 are disposed along a significant portion of the length of the horizontal elongate arm portion 106. A short reinforcing rib 120 is disposed between the square aperture and the plastic end cap 116.

[0056] A stop bracket 130 is mountable onto the support structure 22 by means of a self-adhesive pad 132 adhered to a mounting plate 131, or optionally threaded fasteners (not shown) extending through apertures (not shown) in the mounting plate 131. The stop bracket 130 comprises a bent metal wire 134 removably mounted in co-operating outward extensions 136 formed in the mounting plate 131, and has an aperture 138 in alooped end portion 139 for receiving the lower portion of the elongate main post therethrough in freely pivotal relation. The elongate main post 30 is first hung from the mounting bracket 100 and the stop bracket 130 is then mounted in place by slipping the bottom end 32 of the elongate main post 30 into the aperture 138 of the stop bracket 130. The stop bracket 130 is then mounted onto the support structure 22. In this manner, the stop bracket 130 does not need to be mounted in a precise vertical position. It has been found with a lower bracket that does secure to the elongate main post 30, it is common to mount the lower bracket on a support structure and subsequently have the distance between the top mounting bracket 100 and the lower bracket either too big or too small for the elongate main post 30, thus causing the elongate main post 30 to either be loose or to bow out, respectively. The stop bracket 130 thereby receives a lower portion of the elongate main post 30 in lateral movement precluding relation, thereby minimizing unwanted lateral movement when the elongate main post 30 is being rotated. In the event that the support structure 22 is a door, stop bracket 130 precludes unwanted swing of the elongate main post 30 when the door 22 is opened or shut.

[0057] Reference will now be made to FIG. 18, which shows a second preferred embodiment of the storage apparatus mountable onto a support structure 222, such a door or a wall, for hanging clothing-related articles such as ties, belts, scarves, and so on, according to the present invention, and as indicated by general reference numeral 220. The second preferred embodiment storage apparatus 220 comprises a mounting bracket 230 mounted directly into the support structure 222 by threaded fasteners 224.

[0058] In an alternative embodiment, it is contemplated that although only one mounting bracket 100 is necessary, two mounting brackets 100 mounted one at each end of the elongate main post 30 may be used to hold a single elongate main post, for the purpose of maximizing load carrying capacity. It has been found that using a top mounting bracket 100 only has the advantage of not having a mounting bracket 100 in the way of ties, scarves, belts, and so on, hanging on the storage apparatus 20, when the elongate main post 30 is rotated.

[0059] As can be understood from the above description and from the accompanying drawings, the present invention provides a storage apparatus mountable onto a support structure, such as a door or wall, or the like, for hanging clothing-related articles such as ties, belts, scarves, and so on, for use in one's home, wherein articles can easily be seen and readily selected, wherein articles are stored in a vertical manner on pivotable holders, that is for use in both home and retail environments, and that is inexpensive to manufacture, all of which features are unknown in the prior art.

[0060] Other variations of the above principles will be apparent to those who are knowledgeable in the field of the invention, and such variations are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. Further, other modifications and alterations may be used in the design and manufacture of the storage apparatus of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the accompanying claims. 

I claim:
 1. A storage apparatus mountable onto a support structure for hanging clothing-related articles, said storage apparatus comprising: an elongate main post having a top end and a bottom end and defining a longitudinal axis; mounting means securely connected to said elongate main post for mounting said elongate main post in substantially vertically oriented relation onto a support structure for pivotal movement about said longitudinal axis; and, a plurality of article-receiving hooks mounted in weight-bearing relation on said elongate main post.
 2. The storage apparatus of claim 1, wherein said mounting means further comprises a mounting bracket securable to said support structure.
 3. The storage apparatus of claim 2, wherein said mounting means comprises a post-engaging portion securely connected to said elongate main post and a bracket-engaging portion pivotally engaging said post-engaging portion and securely connected to said mounting bracket.
 4. The storage apparatus of claim 3, wherein said post-engaging portion is securely connected to said elongate main post adjacent the top end of said elongate main post.
 5. The storage apparatus of claim 4, wherein said post-engaging portion comprises a cap member frictionally engaged on the top end of said elongate main post.
 6. The storage apparatus of claim 5, wherein an upwardly directed shaft portion of said bracket-engaging portion is received through a cooperating receiving aperture in said mounting bracket.
 7. The storage apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a stop bracket for mounting onto a support structure and for receiving a lower portion of said elongate main post in lateral movement precluding relation.
 8. The storage apparatus of claim 7, wherein said stop bracket has an aperture therein for receiving said lower portion of said elongate main post therethrough in freely pivotal relation.
 9. A storage apparatus mountable onto a support structure for hanging clothing-related articles, said storage apparatus comprising: an elongate main post having a top end and a bottom end; mounting means securely connected to said elongate main post for mounting said elongate main post in substantially vertically oriented relation onto a support structure; and, a plurality of hook modules mounted on said elongate main post in vertically spaced relation one from the next, each hook module comprising a collar and a plurality of article-receiving hooks mounted in weight-bearing relation on said elongate main post by said collar.
 10. The storage apparatus of claim 9, wherein in each said hook module, said collar comprises a central aperture and said elongate main post is disposed within said central aperture.
 11. The storage apparatus of claim 10, wherein in each said hook module, said collar frictionally engages said elongate main post.
 12. The storage apparatus of claim 11, wherein said elongate main post is non-circular in cross-section and in each said hook module, said central aperture in said collar is non-circular in cross-section.
 13. The storage apparatus of claim 9, wherein each said article-receiving hook comprises a single piece of wire bent back along itself.
 14. The storage apparatus of claim 9, wherein each said article-receiving hook comprises, in seriatim, a hook portion, a horizontally disposed shaft portion, a vertically disposed base portion, and an anchoring end portion.
 15. The storage apparatus of claim 9, wherein said vertically disposed base portion of each said article-receiving hook is trapped against said elongate main post by one of said collars.
 16. A storage apparatus mountable onto a support structure for hanging clothing-related articles, said storage apparatus comprising: a first mounting bracket having, in seriatim, a first vertical portion for engaging one face of a door, a horizontal portion for spanning the top edge of a door, and a second vertical portion for engaging the opposite other face of a door; a second mounting bracket secured to the first vertical portion of said first mounting bracket; an elongate main post having a top end and a bottom end and depending from said second mounting bracket; and, a plurality of article-receiving hooks mounted in weight-bearing relation on said elongate main post.
 17. The storage apparatus of claim 16, wherein said second mounting bracket is secured to the first vertical portion of said first mounting bracket by means of threaded fasteners.
 18. The storage apparatus of claim 17, further comprising spacer means disposed on said first vertical portion of said first mounting bracket for spacing said threaded fasteners from a support structure. 